“Of the 26 Maoists killed in Bijapur, 18 have been identified so far and efforts are on to establish the identity of others. One of the Maoist leaders killed in Kanker was identified as Lokesh, Platoon Commander of PLGA company No.5,” said IGP (Bastar Range) Sundaraj P.
Among those killed in Bijapur were West Bastar Divisional Committee members Sitto, who carried a reward of ₹8 lakh. Sitto and her husband, Jithru, a commander of Maoist Platoon No. 13 were notorious for their role in spreading terror in the region, the IGP said. Eight of the slain cadres were identified as area committee members, each with a reward of ₹5 lakh on their heads. The remaining cadres identified were part of Platoon No.13.